Lake Como or Lake Maggiore? It is never easy to choose between these two incredibly beautiful lakes in Italy. While Lake Como has been a famous and much-loved holiday destination internationally, Lake Maggiore has its own list of famous personalities who have been enchanted by its beauty.
In our blog, we compare Lake Como and Lake Maggiore to find out their unique charms and help you decide your next lake stop!
![A motorboat gliding through an Italian lake]( "A motorboat gliding through an Italian lake")
Speedboating is one of the fave activities on both Lake Como and Lake MaggioreReaching the lakes
It is easy to reach both Lake Maggiore and Lake Como from anywhere in the world, thanks to their proximity to Milan. The ease of connectivity and several transportation options such as train, bus, and car means that these two destinations are easily accessible.
The closest airport to both the destinations is Milan Malpensa, which is about an hour away and well-connected to the lake towns, which in turn are well-connected by road, rail and water transport. Even in the off-season the ferry services and public transport are highly dependable. So if you have decided to set up your base at one of these destinations you don’t need to worry about getting to or around the lakes.
At Lake Como, one can easily stay in a centrally-located town like Varenna and ferry themselves to the other side of the lake or pretty little villages like Tremezzina and Menaggio. Meanwhile, at Lake Maggiore, Stresa’s landing stage effortlessly connects to the other must-visit towns, villages and attractions.
![A lakeshore view of Varenna, a centrally-located lake town on Lake Como, with vibrant houses and boats]( "A lakeshore view of Varenna")
Perched on the lakeshore, the vibrant houses of Varenna
Highlights and specialities
As lake destinations surrounded by mountains, both places promise stunning panoramic views, amazing hiking opportunities and plenty of natural attractions. In addition, a long history of human habitation in these areas has left its mark through historical and archaeological attractions such as magnificent villas and colourful patrician houses.
While Villa Carlotta and Villa Balbianello are not to be missed on your Lake Como vacation, the three Borromean Islands–Isola Bella, Isola Madre, and Isola dei Pescatori warrant a visit on your Lake Maggiore vacation. But Lake Como enjoys an upper hand when it comes to historical attractions, while Lake Maggiore is more well-known for its botanical gardens. Isola Bella, an island turned into a garden, and Villa Taranto’s gardens are a few of the horticultural wonders that attract travellers to this Swiss-Italian lake. ![The beautiful botanical gardens of Isola Bella, one of the Borromean Islands on Lake Maggiore]( "The beautiful botanical gardens of Isola Bella")
The unparalleled sculptural beauty of Isola Bella’s botanical gardens on Lake MaggioreShopping and Dining
Lake Como is more touristy than Lake Maggiore and has a slightly more mature and advanced tourism infrastructure.
Known for its silk all over the world, Lake Como counts some of the most well-known celebrities as the connoisseur of its beauty and silk. There are also many Michelin-guide restaurants like Navedano and L’Antica Trattoria, as well as amazing family-owned restaurants that offer a wide range of authentic Italian cuisine.
However, this does not mean that Lake Maggiore is far behind in offering fantastic dining and shopping opportunities. Although a more affordable destination than Lake Como, Lake Maggiore also boasts sumptuous Michelin-guide-recommended restaurants like Lo Stornello, Ristorante Piccolo Lago and Osteria Mercato.
Plus, when it comes to a relaxing lake vacation, Lake Maggiore is undeniably the better option for unwinding away from the swarming summer crowds of Lake Como! Activities to enjoy at the lakes
Lake Como again has an upper hand when it comes to enjoying active time on your vacation. From golfing at some of the most popular and world-class courses in Italy to trekking with enchanting Alpine views, as well as parasailing and windsurfing, Lake Como offers a thrilling experience on almost all possible topographies that surround it! Wandering through the ancient heart and famous villas of Lake Como is the family-friendly Greenway Route. There are also some amazing chapel climbs that reward you with the stunning solitariness of Lake Como’s mountain-top chapels. However, one thing that only Lake Maggiore has is the bucket cable car (Funivie del Lago) in Laveno. Open from the top, passengers can take super fun rides from the mountaintop with marvellous 360° views of the Alps, Po Valley and the Lombardian lakes. If swimming and relaxing are on your agenda, then both Lake Maggiore and Lake Como have pretty decent swimming pools and beaches for an enjoyable swim. Some thrilling theme parks are also around, about 1.5 hours away from the lakes, for those who want to indulge in pure, uninterrupted fun! ![Greenway Route from Colonello on Lake Como, perfect for hiking with families and visiting Villa Carlotta and Villa Balbianello]( "Greenway Route from Colonello on Lake Como")
The beautiful rustic route of Greenway, Lake ComoLake Towns and Villages
Nothing precedes the fame and beauty of Bellagio, a town on Lake Como popular for its cobbled streets, gardens, and landscape. The beauty and charm of Bellagio can be attributed to its unique location on Lake Como, on the cape of the landmass that divides the lake into two. With its churches, museums, parks, palaces, squares, gardens and pleasant walks along the shore, the visitors are indeed spoiled for choice in this beautiful lakeside town. But other lake towns such as Menaggio and Varenna and the characteristic villages of Lake Como like Laglio are no less! On Lake Maggiore, on the other hand, the most famous town and tourist hub is Stresa. It has amazing dining options (most of the Michelin guide restaurants are here) and is a great place to begin your Lake Maggiore expedition. For the best landscape, Pallanza is a privileged town which offers amazing views of the Borromean gulf. Other lake towns include Verbania, Baveno, and Laveno, but the unique charm of staying on Lake Maggiore can be experienced in the small hamlets on its shore.
The Swiss part of Lake Maggiore is a different story altogether and the beauty and charm of places like Locarno and Ascona are beyond description. Additionally, if you are staying for a long holiday, then day trips to Lake Como and Switzerland from Lake Maggiore are a much more budget-friendly option to consider.
![The facade of Madonna del Sasso, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Locarno, Lake Maggiore.]( "The facade of Madonna del Sasso")
Madonna del Sasso, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Locarno, Lake MaggioreSeason to Visit
Lake Como is undeniably a busy destination to visit during summer, so if it is the peace and tranquillity that you are after, then Lake Maggiore is a better option. But if you wish to explore the lakes with no crowds at all, then visit them in September. During this month, not only are the lakes more serene but they also become more budget-friendly for a quick vacation! It is a tie, though, when it comes to visiting the lakes in autumn as each exhibits its own beauty and tastes. So on the one hand where autumn in Lake Como brings in a more sombre beauty and authentic experience, Lake Maggiore’s autumn comes with pleasant weather and a host of festivals, most famously its gastronomic ones. Both Lake Como and Lake Maggiore are great choices for a memorable vacation. While there are a lot of similarities between the two places, they are also quite different and promise unique experiences. Both have been praised and immortalised in the works of artists who have quoted their experiences as nothing less than surreal.
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Speedboating is one of the fave activities on both Lake Como and Lake Maggiore
Perched on the lakeshore, the vibrant houses of Varenna
The beautiful rustic route of Greenway, Lake Como
Madonna del Sasso, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Locarno, Lake Maggiore
